Zile's Jurors View Grisly Photos

Medical Examiner Describes 7-year-old Christina's Injuries

A jury on Friday viewed photos of Christina Holt's small body after it was pulled from a 57-inch-deep grave that prosecutors say her stepfather, John Zile, dug behind a Tequesta Kmart.

On Oct. 28, 1994, the decomposing body of the 7-year-old girl was found wrapped in a blue plastic tarp bound by clear packing tape, Palm Beach County Medical Examiner James Benz told the jury.

Once the tarp was removed, another layer of cloth and duct tape were found. Under that, investigators found the body covered in a sheet, then two large plastic trash bags and finally a blanket.

Despite the advanced stage of decomposition of the body, Benz testified that his autopsy found bruises on Christina's left eyebrow, left cheek, left lower jaw and right cheek.

A cut inside her mouth, along with the bruises, indicated there had been "traumatic injury to the facial area," Benz said.

Other bruises were found on both her arms, right leg, knee and thigh and on her buttocks.

"No fractures were found in any of the bones, and no internal injuries to any of the organs," Benz testified as jurors reviewed the photos.

Zile, 34, is on trial in Palm Beach County Circuit Court for first-degree murder and four counts of aggravated child abuse. If convicted, he faces a life sentence.

Prosecutors say Zile beat Christina on Sept. 16, 1994, causing her to convulse and die. He is accused of hiding the girl's body in a closet for four days before burying it behind the K mart.

On Friday, Benz was questioned only by prosecutors. Courtroom testimony was cut short to allow the defense time to have their medical experts review Benz's testimony before they cross-examine him on Monday.

Benz said he classified the girl's death as a homicide and that the cause of death was asphyxia.

He noted food particles were found in Christina's respiratory tract and lungs, indicating she asphyxiated on her own vomit.

Defense attorneys say Benz's findings will be disputed by defense medical experts when they testify.

In particular, defense attorney Ed O'Hara said Benz's findings that Christina suffered no broken bones could bolster the defense contention that girl's death was accidental and not the result of a brutal beating.

"We think, in our case in chief, we'll be able to explain the asphyxiation," O'Hara said.

But Assistant State Attorney Scott Cupp disputed the defense theory that Christina's death was an accident.

"If the state and the grand jury believed this was an accidental, we wouldn't be here," Cupp said.